Tech magazine | Latest etech news On Gadagets, Security, Software Updates

Nowadays, we hear the term “Wi-Fi” thrown around as if it’s been around forever.But what is Wi-Fi anyway? How does it differ from the internet? What part does it play in getting you connected? We’ll outline the basics you need to know and give some tips on how to maximize your home Wi-Fi performance.What is Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi is the technology that allows your devices to connect wirelessly to the internet.

Many think Wi-Fi and the internet are the same thing, but they are actually quite different.As we mentioned above, Wi-Fi enables you to connect your devices to the internet without the use of cables, allowing you to use your smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc., freely without connecting it directly to your modem.The internet, however, is the larger global network linking all computers and databases.

You don’t technically need Wi-Fi to use the internet, but it is widely accepted as the norm since it is much more convenient.What is a Wi-Fi network? A Wi-Fi network is a wireless internet connection established by your router and shared across devices in a home or business.The network allows you to access your internet connection on multiple devices in any location throughout your coverage area. How does Wi-Fi work? To put it simply, Wi-Fi works by using radio frequencies to communicate back and forth with your devices.

Your internet-connected devices each have wireless adaptors that translate necessary data into a radio signal.That signal is transmitted using an antenna.Your wireless router receives that signal and translates to the internet.

Your router will also receive information from the internet (movies, music, files) and communicate it as a radio signal back to your devices.Wi-Fi transmits data on the frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz — you’ve probably heard of these numbers as channels on your Wi-Fi network.These frequencies are much higher than the ones used by cellphones in order to carry more data. As far as how fast that data can be transferred, Wi-Fi technology uses 802.11 networking standards, which come in varying speeds and price points.

The first version of the 802.11 protocol was released in 1997 and reached link speeds up to 2 Mbps.The newest standard, 802.11ax, or Wi-Fi 6, was released in 2019 and is faster than previous iterations, prone to less interference and maxes out at 9.6 Gbps. An improved version of 802.11ax known as Wi-Fi 6E was released in 2021 and operates on 6 GHz frequencies.What can be done with Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi isn’t just about accessing the web.

The convenience and connectivity of Wi-Fi can also make everyday life much easier.With Wi-Fi you can: Sync smart home devices and control from a central hub like your smartphone Share files with nearby devices Wirelessly stream audio and movies from one device to another Wirelessly transfer photos from your camera to your PC Sync media libraries without a USB Improve home security with smart locks, monitoring systems and cameras Connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows you to connect to the internet on the go and is usually built into your mobile device Learn more about the difference between Wi-Fi and internet.How to get home Wi-Fi If you’re like most Americans, you’ve got at least eight devices that use your home internet connection.

But if you’re looking to create that seamless experience that Wi-Fi allows, you’re going to need to take a few steps to make sure your home is ready.Choose an internet service provider Start by shopping the available internet providers in your area.Determine your monthly budget, what internet connection types are available and most compatible with your internet activities and what speeds are needed to support all the users on your network.

Get a wireless router and modem Most providers allow you to bring the equipment of your choice.However, some may require you to rent a specific set of equipment directly from them for the best quality.If you’re able, do your research on routers specifically in order to make sure your device can handle the speeds and amount of devices you’re looking to connect. Consider a Wi-Fi strengthener Once you’ve established a connection, you need to make sure that your Wi-Fi coverage is nothing short of spectacular, especially if you’re living in a multi-floor household.

Look into a Wi-Fi extender, repeater or booster to push your signal to those hard-to-reach corners and devices.Start your journey to home Wi-Fi sooner than later.Compare major internet service providers, pricing, speed ranges and more.

Find out what internet service providers are near you Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you Popular Wi-Fi providers ProviderStarting price*Download speed rangeWi-Fi equipment costConnection type Spectrum$30.00 – $70.00/mo.***100 – 1,000 Mbps$10.00/mo.with PremierCable/fiber Xfinity$40.00 – $100.00/mo.300 – 2,000 MbpsIncludedCable, fiber AT&T$55.00 – $245.00/mo.**90 – 4,700 Mbps**NoneFiber, 5G Cox$50.00 – $150.00/mo.300 – 2,000 Mbps$13.00/mo.Cable/fiber Verizon Fios$34.99 – $94.99/mo.† with mobile plan300 – 2,300 MbpsNoneFiber Optimum$40.00 – $280.00/mo.300 – 8,000 Mbps$13.50/mo.Cable, fiber CenturyLink$50.00 – $75.00/mo.100 – 940 Mbps$15.00/mo.Fiber, DSL Frontier Fiber$29.99 – $154.99/mo.200 – 5,000 MbpsNoneFiber, DSL Hughesnet$49.99 – $124.99/mo.50 – 100 Mbps$14.99/mo.Satellite Mediacom$19.99 – $84.99/mo.250 – 2,000 Mbps$15.00/mo.Cable/fiber T-Mobile$35.00 – $55.00/mo.with mobile plan87 – 415 MbpsNone5G Kinetic$24.99 – $99.99/mo.100 – 2,000 Mbps$6.99/mo.Fiber, DSL *Price per month plus taxes for length of contract.

Additional fees and terms may apply.Pricing varies by location and availability.All prices subject to change at any time.

Updated as of 07/03/25.**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum.Taxes and fees extra in select states.SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period.

Additional charge for installation.Speeds based on wired connection.Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed.

Gig capable modem required for Gig speed.For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem.Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change.

Add’l.cost without mobile plan.Subj.

to credit approval & may require a deposit.Fios avail.in select areas.

Wired speeds advertised.Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors.See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info.

2025 Verizon.How to secure your Wi-Fi connection Once you’ve established your Wi-Fi connection and synced your devices, you’ll want to take some extra steps to be sure your information and your household is secure.A great Wi-Fi password is one thing, but cybercriminals have ways around the most creative security keyword.

Ways to keep your network and devices away from prying eyes Go for strong encryption: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), WPA2 or WPA3 are the newest standards.Hackers are familiar with older standards of protection like Wired Equivalent Privacy, or WEP, and may break in with ease using the right methods Choose a strong WPA key: Your mother’s maiden name won’t exactly cut it.Pick a lengthy security key with a mixture of random numbers and letters to make your password ironclad Create a guest network: This is a great way to offer your internet connection to guests without accidentally exposing your network to risks.

Activate WPA protections on the guest network and provide the password on request.This will allow you to control who accesses the connection and encrypts each user’s data with a “session key,” essentially protecting guests from each other Hide your network name: Changing your service set identifier (SSID) to hidden will prompt users to enter the name and the password to connect instead of displaying it as an option for the world to access Use a VPN: A virtual private network, or VPN, sends your data back and forth via an encrypted connection and blocks your location information.With a good VPN, hackers could access your network and still be blocked from sensitive information Wi-Fi FAQs How do devices connect to Wi-Fi? Your devices have wireless adapters that translate data into radio frequencies when you make a request, like clicking on a website.

These frequencies are received by your router and then converted back into a language your devices can understand.Your router connects to the internet and then sends that data back to your device, and your device decodes that data into something you can see and use.What is a wireless router? A wireless router is a device that allows you to connect your devices to the internet wirelessly, or without the need for a cable.

How do Wi-Fi extenders work? Wi-Fi extenders work by rebroadcasting your router’s signal to areas where it is not as strong.They are especially useful in households with spotty Wi-Fi coverage and dead zones.What to read next Read more Featured Tips to improve your internet connection and boost Wi-Fi signal Camryn Smith — 7 min read Featured Everything you need to know about Wi-Fi 6 Camryn Smith — 3 min read Featured The best Wi-Fi routers of 2025 Camryn Smith — 7 min read Latest Thursday, July 3, 2025 What is Wi-Fi? Learn the basics of this service Camryn Smith — 5 min read Thursday, July 3, 2025 Why is my internet so slow during the day? Camryn Smith — 4 min read Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Best cellphone plans for older adults Lisa Iscrupe — 4 min read